telby

Hi Guys & Gals, I had a lapband in 2011, and have been lucky enough to lose 144lbs. I now think it's time for some reconstructive surgery - I think I'll need a tummy-tuck and chest work (I'm a guy). I'm really looking for some reccomendations for either UK or European companies. Have around £7k to spend, so something within budget would also be great. Can anyone help? Thanks Tel

Hi All, I have been banded a while now and have been on solids for few weeks. Like every new bandster, I had heard the stories about not being able to eat certain foods (and the vomitting etc), but so far I have managed to eat everything I have tried with very little problem. In fact if I didn't know better I'd say they had forgotten to put the band in ! I curently have a 10ml band with 0 in it, and although I have little restriction in terms of what food I can eat, I am only able to eat small amounts before I am no longer hungry (around half of what I could before). I am eating 3 meals a day, keeping consistently under 1000 cals and am not snacking or feeling hungry at all. I also seem capable of making decent food choices or at least when I do treat myself I am able to compensate throughout the day to keep under my calorie goal. I am feeling pretty comfortable and seem to be losing weight steadily. But I also feel having spent all this money on a band that I should be racing out to get it filled at the first opportunity and have the heightened level of restriction that others seem to have, otherwise it would be cheating. Anyone else felt like this after being banded? Thanks Tel

Really? That makes me fill a little more normal ! I mean it maybe that my portion sizes and calorie intake might start to creep up and I should get a fill, but my head is telling me that I am currently very comfortable with my current restriction. It's just this nagging feeling that it should be harder than this and I should be harder on myself like others are.

See this is my problem. I don't feel hungry all the time at all. I have very little restriction and I can eat any food with no problem. . . . BUT even without restriction, I am already eating a lot less portions and still feeling satisfied for 4+ hrs after each meal, I am losing weight and quite easily sticking to my calorie goal each day. . . . . . . .It seems a little too good to be true at the moment. But I still feel like I SHOULD have a fill because I know my band is empty and I am not getting the nasty side of things. I feel if I don't then I will be cheating, yet I am not convinced I need one as things seem to be going well Very confusing

Hi Guys & Gals I am due to be banded in Belgium on Friday and am having serious last minute doubts. I was only asked to undergo a 2 week pre-op diet but have been dieting for 6 weeks and using MyFitnessPal religiously to count calories. So far I have lost around 20lb and have found it incredibly easy to stick to the diet with very few hunger cravings. Having never stuck to a diet before I wonder why I am finding it so easy this time. In fact its been such an easy ride that the thought crossed my mind whether I need the band at all. I would only lose a small deposit but would save a costly operation. On the other hand I wonder if it's because I know I am having the operation that ithe diet is going so well. Did anyone else go through this pre-op? Tel

Hi Guys, My biggest fear about booking directly with Dr CDB is if something goes wrong with the band or the port 4 or 5 months down the line. Does anyone know if CDB offers any insurance packages that would cover this? Or does he offer any surgical guaruntees for a certain period? I can only afford to do this the once. Thanks

Thanks for all the replies so far, it's most encouraging. It seems like most here have had positive results of some kind.

Hi Guys, First time poster here. I am considering banding and have been impressed with the comments about CDB. I have a few questions (probably typical newbie questions so please be gentle) 1) Does banding actually work in most cases? 2) What are the potential complications? 3) How soon after surgery did you return to work? I can probably get 6-8 clear days off work this year if I decide to go through with it. 4) How mych do you typically lose in the first 6 months? Any info would be much appreciated. I'm not looking for a miracle cure, I know I will still have to put the work in, but I am just looking for something that will help me lose the greatest amount in the shortest possible period when I do start. I have about 10st-12st to lose. Thanks Tel